12.30.2010

Jordan has entered blog land! I love that she is starting a new chapter in her life with her student teaching. But what I love even more is that she is going to document her journey in a blog! How cool is that? So, this is my plug for her --- if you know my daughter, you love my daughter --- so go over to her new blog and leave her a comment or two or ten and show her how totally awesome you know she is!

12.29.2010

Ahhh.....I love the photos I took last fall of Emma and her buddy Elmo. They just make me smile and bring a little ray of Sunshine into the dreary days of winter. So I just had to create a bright and cheerful mini book to keep handy and the Bella Blvd, Hello Beautiful! Line was the perfect choice for products. I teamed it up with a fun picket fence minibook from Maya Road and this is what I ended up with:

My minibook is featured today on the Bella Blvd Blog along with some other fabulous creations from my fellow Artistas! Make sure to hop on over to their blog and leave me some love in their comments section! I have been so honored to be part of their team of Artistas this year, what a dream come true! I want to encourage everyone to become a follower of their blog because Bella Blvd is destined for even greater things and you don't want to miss any of it!

12.26.2010

1. Started your own blog2. Slept under the stars3. Played in a band4. Visited Hawaii5. Watched a meteor shower6. Given more than you can afford to charity7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch15. Adopted a child16. Had food poisoning17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train21. Had a pillow fight22. Hitch hiked23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping27. Run a Marathon

29. Seen a total eclipse30. Watched a sunrise or sunset31. Hit a home run32. Been on a cruise33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant44. Visited Africa45. Walked on a beach by moonlight46. Been transported in an ambulance47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling52. Kissed in the rain53. Played in the mud54. Gone to a drive-in theater55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching63. Got flowers for no reason64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp67. Bounced a check68. Flown in a helicopter69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial71. Eaten Caviar72. Pieced a quilt73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican82. Bought a brand new car83. Walked in Jerusalem84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating88. Had chickenpox89. Saved someone’s life90. Sat on a jury91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club93. Got a tattoo94. Had a baby95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake97. Been involved in a law suit98. Owned a cell phone99. Been stung by a bee

How about you? Play along and leave me a comment so I can go read your blog and check out your answers!

12.23.2010

Imaginisce just made the big announcement this morning on their blog! Their new 2011 Design Team has been announced and I'm ubber excited to be on the list for another year! We have some fantastic designers joining us and it is sure to be a fantastic year! Keep your eyes open for even more fun stuff on the blog and on facebook!

12.18.2010

ah...baking day 2010 is history. We made carmel corn, truffles, pumpkin bread, peppermint bark, and 5 different christmas cookies . We enjoyed apple cider, homemade soup, and licked lots of beaters! Even though Jordan & I were under the weather and David & Austin were under the house fixing a broken pipe, we made it through. Luke ate way too much sugar and tried everything that was even considered an ingredient for a cookie or candy! That included red food coloring and molassis! Funny how he will try molassis but won't eat a cooked carrot!

We started off the day with a trip to Home Depot to buy the supplies for the broken pipe and another Christmas Tree for the family room. We were treated to Starbucks by Jordan and her book buyback money from school!

Then we hit the office supply store for a 2011 calendar, the pet store for presents for all our 4 legged friends, Big 5 Sporting Goods for new shoes for Austin & David and Safeway for the rest of our baking supplies. Then we spent the next 7 hours baking. There were times when Jordan & I were sitting on chairs in the kitchen because we both have bad backs tonight -- but we made it! I'm exhausted but it was a fun family day.

A little toast with some sparkling apple cider:

Jordan painted Luke's face with frosting:

With David occupied under the house, Austin took over the caramel cooking --- stirred for over 12 minutes:

12.17.2010

... again. Normally, I embrace my sick days and figure it's the Lord's way of making me slow down and recoup --- but, today I need the yuckos to just go away. With Christmas a week away, I really think this is the most unprepared I've been in the last 7 years! Feeling like I could lie in bed all day is just not helping. It's just not physical either, mentally I'm in the same funk. Just feeling the blahs --- I have zero Christmas spirit, zilch, nada, absolutely none. I think Jordan is right, without a real tree in the house, it just doesn't smell like Christmas. So, that is solution number 1 --- tonight we go buy a cut Christmas tree and put it up in the family room. It may not help, but it's worth a try. Other than that - lots of tylenol and maybe a drink or two! What do you think?

The one thing that I had lots of fun with this Christmas was little Miss Emma's Christmas present. She is getting a kitchen center for Christmas and a friend of mine - thanks, Kelli! - got me hooked on creating felt food. Luke, Jordan & I have spent the last month or so creating all these goodies.

12.15.2010

Okay, not quite yet, but almost! The cold long days of winter are in full swing around the Pacific Northwest and we won't see any breaks in the weather until well into April. Thankfully, it's easy to stay bright and cheerful when scrapbooking with some springtime papers! Today marks the day of the new springtime release from Imaginisce, Garden Party! Even the name makes me smile and think of long warmer days! This new line will be shipping to your local scrapbook stores this week!

There are many different pretty pink hues in this line, you just can't help but smile!

and some amazing blues and greens too!

What would a release party be without a great giveaway? You know with Imaginisce, you will never know because they are always giving away amazing prizes. This month is no exception! Make sure to visit the Imaginsce Blog for more great design ideas and all the prize information!

12.14.2010

You aren't a teenager anymore --- that is so strange. 20 years old - how cool is that?

Are you sure you aren't still 2 years old? Absolutely sure? 20 just sounds so......old. I had so much fun with you when you were 2 -- and you know what? I still have tons of fun with you. You have become one of my favorite people to hang out with. You are still sweet, smart and loveable but now I can add creative, funny, responsible, and loyal to that list of adjectives to describe you.

12.10.2010

Christmas is right around the corner --- literally, right around the corner. In 2 weeks we will be celebrating Christmas Eve and the only a week later we will be welcoming in the new year. 2011 --- oh, my. We have lived in this house for over 11 years and so much has happened during those years. My family has really grown and we have found our way. It's not always easy, but our house is full of love, unconditional love. That makes me very, very, happy.

Personally, I have finally found my niche. It only took me 40 years to find something I was passionate about, that satisfied my need to be productive and creative and helped me overcome the anxiety that I am cursed with. Scrapbooking does that for me. The journey has been an amazing ride and I can't wait to see what 2011 holds for me. But before that happens, I want to give a big shout out to everyone who believes in me - all my scrappin' friends that encouraged me and helped me. I am so thankful for all of you!

I have been given some wonderful opportunities this year and I am closing out the year with one that is very special to me. Being a Bella Artista has been my dream for over 2 years, and I can't believe I can finally call myself that! I get to share that honor with Ginger Williams and Mahlin Wiggur this month over on the Bella Blvd Blog! You will find us featured over there throughout the month with lots of fun projects.

Today you can find some fun Gift Card Holder ideas as well as a tutorial to make this fun Christmas Card Stocking!

12.09.2010

It's Official! The first post has gone live over on the Bella Blvd Blog and I am so excited! Today they are featuring a fun layout I did about Jordan and her soccer team over at Northwest University - make sure to go on over and check it out along with the other December Artista's! Leave me a comment on the blog and let me know what you think! I would love that!

Another fun thing that just happened to us - David won the City Light Hero Award at work for his participation in saving a co-workers life last summer. He totally deserved it, he is my hero after all! There was a big ceremony at the City Hall downtown and he will even get a monetary prize! How cool. Waiting on some pictures.

12.05.2010

I know what you are thinking - It's almost Christmas! I know, but I totally forgot to post the pictures of the kids from Halloween! I was in Missouri, but Jordan thought of me, and took some for me! Love my daughter!

12.03.2010

I love Lucy! I really mean it! Lucy Chesna that is! Not only is she one amazing friend, but she is an amazing sketch artist too! I love working with her new sketches every month over at My Sketch World! This month was no exception!

My name is Kim and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my wonderful husband and energetic kids! I am never without a good photo opportunity and that is what fuels my scrapbooking obsession! I am blessed to have a family of friends in the industry that support me and make me smile every day. Thank you for stopping by and I hope I inspire you! Make sure you create some everyday -- after all -- art is the only way to run away without leaving your house!